…and having shod YOUR FEET
WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE Ephesians 6:15
Last week we began a study on
spiritual warfare and the Armor of God. We learned about the Belt of Truth and
the Breastplate of Righteousness. This week we are going to continue studying
the Armor of God.
Shoes are worn on a daily basis to guard the health of
the physical feet. If a person's feet are injured, he or she will quickly fall
and not be able to stand or walk. Standing on one's feet is symbolic of
strength and victory. The rest of the armor is useless without the shoes. A soldier decked in full military gear
cannot get very far without his boots.
It is very important for a
soldier to have his feet in good condition if he is going into battle, isn’t
it? The Roman soldier wore a very distinctive shoe in battle: It had thick
leather straps that secured it to the foot. On the bottom of the sole were
little pieces of metal that protruded like spikes to give the soldier firmness
of footing so he could stand in the battle. In hand-to-hand combat, the soldier
could hold his ground and make quick moves without slipping, sliding, or
falling. The shoes provided protection for long marches. The enemy would often
place razor sharp sticks in the ground in hopes of piercing the feet of
advancing soldiers. You will notice that this covering is personal. He says
that you are to cover “your feet.”
The Provision of Peace
Just as a Roman soldier’s
shoes protected his feet and helped him to firmly stand, peace from the Lord
provides us with emotional and spiritual stability. If we are going to “stand”
and “withstand” attacks from Satan, then we need the shoes of the Gospel.
Because we have the peace with God - …we have peace
with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 5:1 -
that comes from the Bible, we need not fear the attack of Satan or men. We must
be at peace with God and with each other if we are to defeat the devil (James 4:1–7). The enemy loves it when there is dissention
among Christians. When we are not
unified, we are weak. He can use
that opportunity to slip in and destroy churches and families.
But the shoes have another
meaning. In the same way that a
soldier “brings peace”, we must be prepared each day to share the Gospel of
peace with a lost world. The most victorious Christian is a witnessing
Christian. If we wear the shoes of the Gospel, then we have the “beautiful
feet” mentioned in Isaiah 52:7 and Romans 10:15. Satan has declared war, but
you and I are ambassadors of peace (2 Cor. 5:18–21); and, as such, we take the
Gospel of peace wherever we go.
Our feet must be so shod,
that our footsteps do not slip as we carry the gospel of peace, straight
through the front line of battle, to the world.
Scripture to Claim:
"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good
things!" Romans 10:15
